Are you suffering from the horrible Californian drought? Your front yard starting to look a little sorry for itself? Then perhaps you need to think outside the box. Even though the state is about to enact legislation prohibiting counties from fining residents who let their lawns go brown in the heat, for some people that’s simply not enough.

Hence the need for a company like Lawn Paint Pros. For an indeterminate sum you can use the company (and others like them which are springing up like … er… mushrooms) to come along with their flat bed truck and spray paint your lawn a nice healthy green color.

No, it’s not going to mean your turf is any more healthy and hydrated, it’s just going to look better. More lush, less drab brown. If that sort of thing bothers you. The spray is apparently completely non-toxic and water proof, so it should last at least 12 weeks before you need another application. We’re wondering whether it wouldn’t be cheaper to just rip the lawn up and replace it with astroturf?

Anyway, the solution is currently getting a lot of local press, as people settle in for a nastily dry summer again. Of course the real problems with the drought go a lot further than a simple green lawn issue, as drinking water is said to be drying up as well in the harsh conditions. But for the lawn painters, business is booming.

Nigel is the managing editor of the Red Ferret, as well as a freelance columnist for the Sunday Times newspaper in London. Loves tech and fancies himself as a bit of a futurist, but then don’t we all?